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KUWAIT, June 17 (KUNA) -- Switzerland football team should be taken seriously following their 1-1 draw against Brazil, one of the World Cup favorites, Coach Vladimir Petkovic said Sunday.
"I hope people will take notice of us now. Sometimes there is a lack of recognition and I think that is a pity because sometimes we play very well," Petkovic told a news conference following the match.
He said his team always believed in itself and has demonstrated this during the clash against Brazil.
Philippe Coutinho goal put Brazilآ’s ahead with a sensational shot 20 minute into the match.
The Barcelonaآ’s midfielder, who was named man of the match, took possession of the ball on the edge of the box and curled it into the far corner of the Swiss goalkeeper.
But Steven Zuber equalized the score in the 50th minute.
Xherdan Shaqiri fired a powerful cross and Zuber was surprisingly unmarked inside the six-yard box, allowing him to power a header from a close range.
Switzerlandآ’s next match will be against Serbia, which beat Costa Rica 1-0 earlier today.
"We will play with the same consistency going forward, facing Serbia in exactly the same way," said Petkovic.
The draw against Brazil was certainly a disappointment for the teamآ’s coach.
"Of course I am not happy with the result, We wanted a victory. But anxiety hi us hard. The pressure was great," Tite told a post-game news conference.
He said the team lacked "precision when there were chances to finish off opportunities. Some of the chances were quite clear-cut and we should have been more precise." Coutinho told a news conference Brazil tried to play through the Swiss defense but it was tough.
"I think there were many positive things, though, and we will take them on to our next match," he added. (pickup previous) bs